Based on European ideas, former samurai, Itō Hirobumi established a cabinet system of government, replacing the Daijō-kan as the decision-making state organization, and on December 22nd, 1885, when he became the first prime minister of Japan.

As 2015 winds to a close, we can look forward to all of the new travel and event opportunities available for 2016. Although there are many places and festivals anyone interested in steampunk can visit in North America, international interest in this style of speculative fiction/art is growing as well. One country that has developed a large steampunk fan base is Japan: Enthusiasts have embraced “wa-yo-setyuu”–the style of fusing East and West—and have created an aesthetic that uniquely reflects Japanese culture/history and yet is easily recognized as steampunk.

Hara Takashi was the first commoner appointed to the office of prime minister of Japan, giving him the informal title of “commoner prime minister.” He was also the first Japanese Christian Prime Minister. Takashi served as Prime Minister from September 29th, 1918 until November 4th, 1921 . . . the day of his assassination.

The exact origin of the Hinomaru is unknown, but the rising sun seems to have had some symbolic meaning since the early 7th century (the Japanese archipelago is east of the Asian mainland, and is thus where the sun “rises”). In 607, an official correspondence that began with “from the emperor of the rising sun” was […]

Well hello Space Cadets! This week we’re travelling to the land of the rising sun to witness a screaming testament to the bleak future that awaits us all! Hooray! We’re taking a look at one of Japan’s earliest forays into cyber/diesel-punk cinema with the loud, brash Burst City! It’s a little bit Warriors a little bit […]